VERNON TOWNSHIP — Officials representing Vernon Township, Fortville and McCordsville have approved the creation of a fire protection territory.
The township’s board and both towns’ councils voted unanimously on Wednesday, June 17, in favor of the territory, which would include both towns as well as the township’s unincorporated areas.
If the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approves, a new tax rate will be established to fund the territory’s estimated 2021 operating budget of nearly $4.3 million.
Vernon Township is pursuing sustainable 24/7/365 fire and ambulance service, something that, without a fire territory, it’s not equipped to provide for too much longer. The township hopes to eventually add full-time firefighters to its ranks of paid part-time and paid-per-run firefighters. It also eventually wants to have a fire station in McCordsville that can be staffed at all times, like the one in Fortville.
Township board and town council members approved an ordinance forming the fire protection territory and a resolution creating an equipment replacement fund. Florence May, Vernon Township trustee, said most of the fire department’s equipment is 18 to 30 years old.
The officials also appointed Fortville Town Council member Greg Brewer and McCordsville Town Council member Robert Holland to the territory’s executive board. May and Vernon Township fire chief Chad Abel will serve on the board as well.
Wednesday was the third and final public hearing for the fire protection territory. It drew one written public comment, submitted electronically by Edward Zlaty during the online Zoom meeting officials held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zlaty, a McCordsville resident, said he fully supports the initiative.
“It’s badly needed and will have a huge impact on our community,” he said. “…We can’t put a price on the safety of our residents, business owners, patrons and emergency responders. This is an extremely viable solution.”
Next, officials will work on the fire protection territory’s budget, which has to be adopted by November.
“I look forward to everyone being engaged so that we are setting ourselves up for the future; not just for us, but also for our kids and the future generation,” May said.
Abel expressed thanks to everyone who helped facilitate the creation of the fire protection territory from himself and on behalf of the township’s firefighters.
“They feel the support and they are ready and excited to make this fire department something you can be proud of,” he said.
In its first year, the territory would cause Vernon Township’s district tax rate to increase 24.1%, Fortville’s to increase 16.3% and McCordsville’s 19.3%, but property owners would only pay more in taxes if their properties are not already at the state’s tax caps.
The territory would also decrease how much of certain tax revenues many taxing units throughout Hancock County receive. But officials both inside and outside of Vernon Township have been supportive of it as a way to help the township, recognizing how far behind it is compared to nearby fire departments.
Wednesday’s votes brought leaders closer to a financial solution for the township’s fire protection that they’ve been seeking since last year. They had to quickly regroup earlier this year after their first plan failed. Initially, the township sought special state legislation to increase its maximum property tax levy. While it found support in the Indiana House of Representatives, it did not in the Senate.
